HC Deb 08 September 1909 vol 10 c1291
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the new Egyptian police ordinance relating to the deportation without trial of persons suspected of criminal tendencies is meant to apply to or will be used against persons whose only offence is that of taking part in a constitutional political agitation to -secure reforms for the better government of Egypt?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The reply to the hon. Member's question is in the negative, as he will see by reference to Article I. The ordinance could never have passed the Legislative Council and received, as it has done, the support of native opinion, if there had been any possibility of the kind contemplated in the question.

Mr. REES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the extremely wide interpretation given by agitators to "Constitutional political agitation"?